From
Bauman Rare Books, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
AbeBooks Seller since July 29, 2014
"(CIVIL WAR) LINCOLN, Benjamin C. Civil War Diary, with related archive of letters and documents. No place, 1861-64. Diary 12mo, saddle-stitched, original parchment wrappers, containing 20 leaves with handwritten entries on 9 leaves for 18 pages, dated August 9, 1862-December 26, 1862, with a further 9 pages of financial notations, signed "Benj. C. Lincoln, Co. G. 39th Mass Vols" on front cover. Together with two autograph letters signed "Benj C. Lincoln" and "Benny," 11 pages total, various sizes, Edwards Ferry Maryland and Camp Casey, Va., October 3 and November 2, 1862; an autograph letter (unsigned), two pages, Key West, July 29, 1864; as well as four letters and documents addressed to Lincoln, August 15, 1864-February 27, 1865. $8000.Interesting 1862 Civil War diary and related papers of Union officer and abolitionist Benjamin C. Lincoln, who would become an officer in the 2nd United States Colored Troops, in which he describes the captured home of Robert E. Lee and Jeb Stuart's Chambersburg Raid.A superb collection related to the career of Benjamin C. Lincoln (1840-65) who enlisted in the 39th Massachusetts on August 9, 1862, and served that body as a clerk until May, 1863, when he was detached to Washington to work on the staff of General John Henry Martindale. A fervent abolitionist, Lincoln accepted a commission in the 2nd Regiment of the United States Colored Troops in the summer of 1863 serving first near New Orleans and later in Key West, Florida. Lincoln died of wounds received at the Battle of Natural Bridge in March, 1865.Of particular interest is Lincoln's diary that he began the day he enlisted in the 39th Massachusetts through December, 1862. Lincoln describes his journey from Boston to Washington, first aboard a steamer that landed at Jersey City and then by rail to the capital. South of Philadelphia, Lincoln observed that the road was guarded by "pickets… stationed all the way to Washinton… after we passed Baltimore the guards were much nearer together and there were a larger number at Philadelphia and all along the route to Baltimore…" The regiment received enthusiastic welcomes from well-wishers save for Baltimore where "the welcome was cold, and there were rumors that several soldiers had been poisoned the night before in other regiments. And soon after it was stated that some of our own men went dead from the same cause…"While in Washington, Lincoln managed some time to take in the sights. Walking around Arlington he "saw Arlington house, the residence formerly of the rebel General Lee, situated near a large oak forest, with small houses around it for negroes and commanding a fine prospect of Washington & the Potomac. The house is now used by Gen Heintzleman as his head-quarters." Later in October, Lincoln's regiment was stationed approximately 20 miles up the Potomac from Washington, when they were ordered to march on an alarm after Stuart's Cavalry crossed the river into Maryland (known today as the Chambersburg Raid): "the rebels had crossed the river by Point of Rocks [Maryland] and were on the Maryland side, having about 2,000 cavalry, some artillery & infantry, a body also crossed below at Seneca. Our regiment was immediately formed and marched up the river… but as the firing had ceased soon returned… I afterwards ascertained were 3,000 in number under command of Stuart." Stuart's mission, to secure fresh horses, arms, and other supplies, also netted about 30 civilian officials to be used for exchange of captured Confederates. Stuart also managed to destroy an important rail crossing near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Some light wear to spine of diary, rear pastedown lifted, Lincoln's entries clean, clearly legible and fine. Expected mailing folds and light toning to remaining items; overall, excellent condition.". Seller Inventory # 104626
Title: Civil War Diary, Archive
Publication Date: 1862
Seller: Katz Fine Manuscripts Inc., Cochrane, AB, Canada
Condition: Very Good. This modest archive of diaries belonged to Mary A. Herrick of Blandford, Mass. Sometimes slow reading but legible, each page details the incredibly hard life of this pioneer woman. We believe she is a young (late teens perhaps as she mentions once she is making cheese for the very first time.) woman (married I think as I believe the girl, Hattie, was hers) living with her brothers, sisters and father. I have not found reference to a mother and I am not sure about the husband. Most of the chores fall to her, each day toiling, many days tragedy to report, for example the year begins straight off; "A solemn New Year with the corpse of little Hattie lying in the south room. Aunt ____ and children gone home. Holden and Louisa worked for us all day. In my black duds." "Mr. Osborn brought home the coffin, black walnut." The neighbor down the road assesses that Hattie's death is "from diptheria and then croup." Feb 14th, "Went to church first time since Hattie died. I was very much affected not a child to sit with me". It takes Mary until July to pay Dr. Andrews the monies he is owed. Another entry states "chimney caught fire". "Little May is not well. Father borrowed Mr. Tiffanys machine as his is broke." "Went to __'s fraid he's got diptheria. carried up some medicine." The only direct mention of the Civil War is "We hear bad news from the Army." Other references are more subtle. This pioneer woman is too preoccupied with hard scrap times to worry about the war otherwise it seems. Father makes many occasional trips to Springfield. The last, heartbreaking entry for Dec. 31st, 1864 - "exactly one year ago today my Hattie passed away." Then there are ledger pages first couple of entries for cash accounts. Not much else there until the very end with a list of deaths for the years. Poor Mary was beset and pre-occupied on the subject the whole year. Other entries dealing with everyday life, so many ending with how very tired she is. Only 4 days do not have any entry at all in 1864. 1867 is a little less written but not by much. The diaries measure 4" wide x 2.5" high. The cash ledger, 4 x 6 in., is being held together by the strings in the binding. There is a 2.5" tear on the lower rear spine edge. Three of the pages are loose. 52 pages have entries. The name on the inside front cover appears to be A.A. Leffingwell of Massachusetts (Barrington?) Making of cider, selling of lamb, charges for the use of a horse are among the transactions. Some of the names listed are Henry Chapman, William Golden, Henry Bigelo, William Avery, L.K.Bosworth, Henry Woodruff, Edward Pease, John Aldrich, E.B.Cole, Charley Washburn, Charley Bartlet, John Campbell, Elisha Avery, Theodore Lyman, William Johnson. We are uncertain as to the connection of the items but they came from the same estate and our policy is to keep items together. Size: 64mo - up to 3" tall. Manuscript. Seller Inventory # 000085
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